Starting college behind bars is no one’s idea of a promising beginning, but for formerly incarcerated Clifford Haines, equal amounts grit and grace has led to completion of an associate’s degree at Irvine Valley College (IVC) (with one more on the way), plus a path toward a business degree at Cal State Long Beach.
Cliff’s educational path began rather traditionally, when he first attended community college after graduating high school in the late ‘90s. However, his initial foray into higher education was short-lived, as he struggled to balance coursework with a full-time job and admits to having lacked the maturity to fully engage in his studies.
"I wasn’t very mature at the time," he reflects. "The educational landscape was a lot different back then; the Internet was just forming, and it was in-class, pencil-and-paper learning."
As time passed, Cliff found himself in hard times: He fell into addiction and landed in prison for a five-year sentence. What appeared to be his lowest point, however, would ultimately become the unlikely start of his college education.
Cliff says he took classes at three different colleges while incarcerated. “I would sign up for any class at any college I could,” he said. "A lot of my coursework was in prison through writing and letters.” Meanwhile, he also worked on getting sober.
“For many years, I was addicted to drugs, and it cost me everything,” he says. “My wife passed away while Ii was in prison. I told myself, if it can’t get sobriety in prison, I’m never gonna get it."
Upon his release from prison in 2021, Clifford faced the daunting task of rebuilding his life. He took a low-paying “get well” job just to get his feet off the ground, and a year later found employment in logistics for a large electronics corporation. He also started to attend AA meetings and “took suggestions from others who had had success after being in similar situations,” he adds.
All along, Cliff’s desire to complete his education never wavered. "It was one of my goals when I was getting out of prison—to finish what I started," he says.
Enrolling at IVC, Clifford embraced the opportunity to pursue his academic goals while working remotely full-time. Despite the challenges of juggling work and coursework, he thrived in the online learning environment.
"Education is much more accessible now than it was,” he reflects. “This semester, most of my classes were asynchronous and online, which works excellently for me. I took six classes this semester while working a full-time job. At first, I thought I would take two or three, but my girl talked me into taking more.
“There are pros and cons,” he adds. “There’s not really a connection with other students when you’re taking classes from home, but it would be physically impossible for me to be in two places at once.”
Clifford's dedication to his studies paid off, earning him an associate degree in business and nearing completion of an associate degree in sociology. He says his involvement in IVC’s new Rising Scholars program further enriched his college experience, and credits former Rising Scholars Project Specialist Shawn Khalifa for being instrumental in helping him succeed. According to Khalifa, the program “serves as a welcoming committee” for formerly incarcerated students and those with juvenile adjudications.
“We guide students through the application process and ensure they have equitable access to all that Irvine Valley College offers,” Khalifa adds. “As a program, we continue to support our students throughout their academic journey, firmly believing that education is crucial for unlocking their potential and opening up new opportunities.
"Reflecting on his own journey, Clifford emphasizes the importance of perseverance and taking advantage of available resources. He counsels those who are beginning college under similar circumstances to “to take advantage of the resources available. There's so much support out there if you're willing to seek it out. And if there’s anything holding you back, remember: You can get paid to go to college!"